Janine Langemann's Project Career

From Hospitality to HR: How Boredom, Passion and a Leap into the Unknown Shaped My Career

Some career paths begin with a clear plan. Mine began with furlough and a professional qualification I took up out of sheer boredom.

It was the height of the coronavirus pandemic. The luxury hotel where I had worked since completing my apprenticeship – five years by then – had come to a standstill. Fully furloughed, I went looking for a new challenge. So I began studying for an advanced business qualification, without a grand plan, simply because it felt right.

When the hotel reopened, I had the opportunity to put my new knowledge into practice by moving internally to the HR department. What followed was a classic case of being thrown in at the deep end: before long, I was largely working independently. That experience shaped the professional I am today. Learning by doing is more than a cliché; it is one of the most effective ways to grow.

Why I Left Hospitality After Seven Years

Seven years in one industry leave their mark – in positive ways, but also in ways that make you reflect. Eventually, I wanted to look beyond it: different sectors, structures and people. I wanted to discover where I truly saw my long-term future in HR.

That is exactly why I joined HR factory. Project-based work promised a wealth of experience in a short period of time – and it delivered even faster than I expected.

My first project took me straight to an international automotive supplier, where I quickly found myself responsible for an entire HR department. It was also the first time I had worked directly with a works council – completely new territory for me. HR factory's shared expertise and the support of my manager helped me find my feet quickly.

What Inspires Me Most: Actively Shaping Culture

Professional growth mattered to me, but it was not enough on its own. I also wanted to feel genuinely connected to HR factory rather than only working at client sites. Joining the Employee Engagement team was one of the best decisions I made.

The work is particularly meaningful to me. There are no KPIs or rigid deadlines; the focus is on people, community and ideas. We plan internal activities, bring colleagues together and help make HR factory a place where people do more than work – a place where they genuinely enjoy belonging. It has shown me how much energy is created when culture is not merely managed, but actively shaped.

HR Services: Five Clients, Five Industries, One Major Learning Curve

After around six months, my first project concluded successfully when a permanent successor was appointed. I then joined the HR Services team, supporting five clients from five different industries at the same time.

It was intense. The role required empathy, flexibility and the ability to build trust quickly, but it expanded my HR toolkit for good. When you have to adapt to so many different environments in such a short time, growth is inevitable.

Where I Am Today – and Where the Journey May Lead

I am now back in a project role, working as a People Partner for a company specialising in sustainability consulting and carbon management. It is a new environment with new challenges – exactly what motivates me.

Looking ahead, I want to continue working on varied projects, deepen my professional expertise and contribute fresh ideas within HR factory. I want my journey to take me wherever I can make a lasting difference for both organisations and people through HR.

HR factory gives me exactly the right environment to do that.